A year after the controversial execution of convicts from Nigeria, Australia; Indonesia to resume execution of more drug traffickers

Indonesia on Thursday, April 7 said it will resume executions of drug traffickers this year, after a brief hiatus since last year’s controversial executions of mostly foreign convicts, including Nigerians.

Attorney General H.M. Prasetyo told reporters “more than one” person would be executed for drug offences this year and foreigners were also on the list.

“We will not stop. We will step up the war on drugs,” Prasetyo added. He however declined to name the nationalities of the convicts on death row. In 2015, Indonesia executed 14 convicts, including nationals of Nigeria, Australia, Brazil, and the Netherlands, by firing squad despite repeated pleas for mercy from foreign governments and international organisations and activists.

Amid international outrage, Indonesia postponed other scheduled executions. Officials said it was so the government could focus on reviving a flagging economy.